Fixture Preview: QPR v Tottenham

QPR v Tottenham

The Analyst takes a look at Saturday’s fixture between QPR and Tottenham. This is the cancelled fixture from Gameweek 27.

This London derby marks the second game of the week for both sides, due to Spurs’ League Cup final appearance against Chelsea. While legs and minds might be weary this game is important enough that neither team should have any trouble getting up for it.

At the moment both sides are marginally short of where they would like to be. Spurs are doing their annual dance around the Champions League spots, while QPR are mired in relegation trouble. Currently, Rangers sit three points away from safety, while Tottenham are six points behind fourth placed Man Utd. This match represents an opportunity for both sides to make up vital ground on their rivals.

This Season

Aug 24, 2014: Spurs 4-0 QPR

Recent Form

QPR: LLLWLL

Spurs: WWWLDW

Key Clashes

This fixture pits two of the best young English strikers around against each other. The two have combined for 29 goals this season, (15 – Austin, 14 – Kane) carrying their respective teams to several victories. Indeed, were it not for Austin QPR would already be planning for a season in the Championship. Similarly, Spurs were a middle table side until Kane forced his way in to the starting line up.

In spite of the outward similarities these are two very different players. Kane is much more likely to get involved in build up play – creating a chance for teammates every 89.1 minutes, compared with every 167.8 mins for Austin. The QPR man is more of a typical box striker. His 94 attempts on goal ranks behind only Sergio Aguero in the Premier League.

Both are relatively reasonably priced at under £10 million, and it is likely that we will see many people opt to pair the duo together for Saturday’s PlayON leagues.

Hugo Lloris ( £8.1m GW28pts: 575) v Rob Green (£6.7 GW28pts: 1450)

If there are two goalkeepers who have earned their money this season it is these two. Green has found himself bombarded each and every week, due to a QPR backline that shows barely the faintest notion of how to defend.

They have conceded 47 goals this season, a figure that ties them with Burnley for the worst record in the Premier League. However, without Green it could be so much worse. The 107 saves he has made this season are comfortably the most of any goalkeeper, and his saves to goals ratio is similar to the likes of Joe Hart and Simon Mignolet. He has also saved the second most shots from inside the box (63).

The only man ahead of him on this list is Lloris with 64. The Frenchman has been one of Spurs standout performers this season, even if Spurs defensive record is nothing to write home about. His 92 saves rank 4th in the league, more than any other ‘keeper on a top seven team.

The stats paint a remarkably similar picture of both men’s seasons. Neither has been afforded much protection by their teammates meaning the onus has fallen on them to keep their sides in games. With two top strikers in action this week, this battle could be the one that decides both who takes three points and who takes home the cash on PlayON.

Extra Time

Neither side has been capable of keeping clean sheets in recent times so we can expect some goals on Saturday. QPR have kept just one clean sheet in their last eight games, while Spurs last three games have featured a total of 14 goals.

Sandro made his return for QPR in Gameweek 28 and will no doubt relish the chance to show his old club what they are missing. Is he worth taking a punt on this week?